Get advice before you apply for a marine licence
A marine licence application must give us the information we need to assess the impact of your project.
Getting advice before you apply can reduce these delays by helping you:
- understand what information to provide
- identify problems at an early stage
- work out how to resolve any problems
- make your application easier to assess
If information is missing or unclear, we may have to return your application or ask you for more details.
In some cases, we may return your application and ask you to apply again.
Advice from us
General marine licensing information
You can email us if you have a general question about marine licensing.
We can:
- tell you where to find the relevant guidance
- help you understand the licensing process
- explain which application band your project may fall into
We cannot:
- provide project-specific technical advice
- review draft applications or documents
- confirm whether your application will be approved
- attend meetings
If you need detailed or project-specific advice, you can consider our specific licensing advice service.
Email marinelicensing@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Specific marine licensing advice
Use this service if you have detailed questions relating to the specific work you want to carry out.
This service costs £120 per hour.
It is especially useful for projects involving:
- band 3 application requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
- large infrastructure development
- projects using new or unusual technologies or methods (band 2 or band 3 licence)
- aquaculture
We can:
- discuss your proposal by email
- arrange an online meeting to talk through your plans
We cannot:
- meet in person
- attend site visits
Email marinelicensing@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk
Screening opinions
Some band 3 applications will need to include an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Before preparing your application, you can request a screening opinion from our marine licensing team to decide whether an EIA is needed.
This service costs £600.
Find out more and request a screening opinion.
Scoping opinions
If the screening opinion confirms that an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed, you can request a scoping opinion. This sets out what your EIA must cover.
This service costs £120 per hour.
Find out more and request a scoping opinion.
Sediment sampling plans
Before you apply for a licence to dredge or dispose of dredged material, the material must be analysed for a range of physical and chemical properties.
This service costs £420.
Find out more and request a sampling plan.
Discretionary environmental advice
If your work is taking place within the Welsh marine area, our NRW marine advice service can provide advice relating to protected species and designated sites.
Contact our NRW marine advice service if you're not sure whether the location of your project and proposed activity means you have the potential to impact a protected or sensitive site.
This service costs £125 per hour, plus VAT.
Email marine.advice@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk
If the work has potential to impact sites beyond 12 nautical miles, you should also contact the Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
Advice from other organisations
Contact relevant organisations early so you allow time for their responses. Some may charge for advice.
Who you contact will depend on which marine licence band you need.
Band 1 applications
Find out more about getting advice for a band 1 application.
Band 2 or 3 applications
Depending on the activities you want to do, and where you want to do them, you might want to consult with other organisations before you apply for a licence, including:
- Trinity House
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency
- Local harbour authorities
- Heneb – Archaeology for Wales – Home of the four Welsh Archaeological Trusts
- Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales
- Crown Estate
- Local planning authorities
- Local ports
- Public Health Wales
- Cadw
- Ministry of Defence
- Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
- Royal Yachting Association
- Welsh Fishermen’s Association
- National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations
- Chamber of Shipping
- National Air Traffic Services
If you think your project may attract public interest, engage with communities before you apply for a licence.
Prepare your application
Use our check which marine licence you need tool if you're not sure which marine licence band you need to apply for.
Find out how to prepare an application for: